Top Tip #9
Always keep training fun.
Training must be fun for both you and your dog to get the most out of it.Do this by playing games with your dog in training as a great reward.
If you are not in the right frame of mind for training in a happy, positive way then miss out the training and wait until you feel better.
Happy training!
Teaching your dog to stand – the basics
Click the link above to view this video. It is great for those who want to know how to get their dog to stand. This shows how you would go from the very start, just teaching the dog to stand and stand still.
Don’t forget to check out previous Blogs
Standing your Dog Part 1
Standing you Dog Part 2
To speak or not to speak
All dogs are different and therefor how you handle your dog can make a big difference to its performance in the ring. How much should you talk to your dog?
Human nature is to speak and talk (sometimes too much!) However this is not the same way that dogs communicate. This is an important thing to remember when training and handling your dog.
Some people enjoy talking to their dogs constantly. I think mainly because it gives the handler confidence, but it also could keep the dogs interest on them. However, some dogs will get over excited by this and are better when the handler is in silence, or using just the odd command to enforce the wanted behaviour.
A classic example is when moving the dog where talking can either help gee up a lazy dog, or could over-excite an over exuberant dog, so choosing to speak, or not to speak can be a very important decision and can hugely affect your dog’s performance. Think carefully about how much you want to talk to your dog and what works best for your dog.
If you feel you need help to work out how to get the best out of your dog, seek help from experienced show friends/judges or from a Ringcraft trainer.
Don’t let your dog train you!
Dogs are intelligent animals and no doubt outsmart their owners at times! I thought I would share my story where Giles trained me back in 2010, hopefully you can learn by my mistake!
Being an Irish Red and White setter, we have numerically small classes. When he came out there were two other dog puppies and a larger number of bitches. At champ shows he generally only had 2-3 in his class and open shows varied between 2-8. He was always beaten by his sister so never got a best puppy in breed and group experience.
When he was about 18 months he took his first BOB and had his first group and his first large class of about 25! During this time he got bored, sat down and wouldn’t move in the line! So I made my first mistake, I lured him with a treat and then gave it to him, so again he sat down, refused to move, I lured with a treat and gave it to him and this went on a few times. You can see where this went. If he Sat and refused to move, he got a treat!!!!!
I have since then given myself a serious telling off as nearly two years on, he still tries it on, although now I don’t get the treats out, I just gently remind him we are moving!
I have learnt my lesson and happy to admit, my dog trained me! But I will never let it happen again, until next time!
Moral of the story….never underestimate the intelligence of a dog!
Top Tip #4
Don’t let the dog stress you out when mis-behaving. If you start loosing your patience, they will only get worse and play you up more. Instead, take a deep breath and start again.
Easier said than done but if you get stressed with your dog it will only go down the lead.
Also watch for this if you are getting someone else who you don’t know to show your dog. I have notice in the past where handlers think they can handle any dog and they show their own dogs, or well trained dogs to near perfection, but when they are given a not so well trained, or a naughty dog, I have witness them loosing patience and either yanking the dog around, or worse. 🙁 There’s never a need for this in my opinion. If you need to, find a handler who you can get to know and start to trust, if possible ask them to do some training with your dog to build a bond before heading to a show.
Top Tip #2
Know and understand your dogs faults
By knowing your dogs faults will allow you as a handler to either disguise them, or understand why another dog beats you. Although we all like to think our dogs are perfect, reality is that the perfect dog hasn’t been bred yet.
You are there to show YOUR DOG. To emphasise the good points and minimise any faults.
You want the judge’s thoughts on YOUR DOG.
You want to leave the judge with a lasting impression of YOUR DOG.
You want to persuade the Judge to put YOUR DOG first.
GOOD HANDLING will help achieve all of the above.
“A good handler can make a poor dog look good, whereas a poor handler can make an excellent dog look poor.”
There is nothing worse than seeing someone mis-treat a dog at a show, or drag them round the ring, or force them to something they don’t want to. Make each and every show fun for your dog and remember, you want them to enjoy showing!
2) Always be polite to the officials and other exhibitors
A polite thank-you to the judge, and a well done to other exhibitors costs nothing. Even if they are your sworn enemy, you being polite to them will only get them wondering. Also think about all the people who are watching around the ring.
Also, remember that dog shows are run by a committee who give up their time to provide a show for you. Accept human errors graciously and forgive when something doesn’t go to plan on the day.
3) Dress appropriately for the job in hand and to compliment your dog.
See more details under What To Wear to a Dog Show or Dress Code
This is the bit where the judge looks at the dogs individually which can leave a lot of waiting in line for you and your dog. However, this doesn’t mean the judge isn’t assessing your dog. Often judges will look around and a dog can catch their eye for either being fantastic, or poor.
Think about, is your dog happy while he is waiting, showing a good expression and wagging his tail? Or is he standing there with his head hung low or tail tucked under? An alert dog is more likely to catch the judges eye with the judge thinking “Wow, can’t wait to put my hands on that dog, looks like it could be my winner.”
Many handlers also use this time to chat to each other without a care about what their dog is doing. I have known exhibitors to be so busy chatting that they did not realise that the judge had finished the last dog and was now taking a last look round. Guess where they didn’t come! If you do want to have a chat with fellow exhibitors, remember you must also keep an eye on your dog and the judging, or wait until you are out of the ring for a really good natter!
Remember, standing around can be boring for your dog, talk to him/her and if he/she is looking a bit fed up the have a little play, (so long as it does not interfere with other exhibitors), and gee him up. I personally use quick little trick to keep Giles’ attention. He loves to do his little tricks, so anything that can keep him entertained and on the spot so not disturbing other dogs can help keep him happy. He also loves a cuddle and a chat! Find what can motivate your dog! Make it an enjoyable experience so they don’t see standing in line boring.
Ideally you want your dog to be standing at ease, ready to be pulled into a show pose in a matter of seconds. I have had it described to me (many, many years ago) thus;
‘A dog and handler can be likened to a soldier. Standing to Attention, (Show pose), Standing at Ease, (ready to show), and Standing Easy (relaxed).’
Winning Paws can help you find some small motivational techniques to use in the ring and teach you how to use them so not to disturb your fellow exhibitors.
The importance of Ringcraft classes
Most people find it easier to learn in one to one or small group situations and many trainers find those who have one to one lessons will learn much quicker. This happens on all walks of life from school education to dog training!
However, Ringcraft classes still are important to you and your dog’s training.
The difference is in one to one sessions you and your dog get individual attention, having time to listen and talk to you and work though many ideas for an hour (or maybe more). At Ringcraft you can be sharing a two-three hour session with 20-30 other people and dogs, without the time and individual attention that you may need.
But why are Ringcraft lessons so important?
It’s quite simple, they are regular (weekly) and cheap enough to attended regularly (price from £1-£4). They are great for socialisation with other dogs of all types and sizes and you can get a few different people to go over your dog and get advice from. They are also great for puppies where the socialisation is so important and also ideal for experienced handlers who just need to practice somewhere different with their latest pup.
Ringcraft is also a great social evening for you, where you will meet other local people with the same interest (dogs!). You will find these same familiar, friendly faces at your local shows.
Ringcraft classes can offer so much and are different to one to one session. I have been a trainer alongside my parents at Stevenage Ringcraft for many years now which was set up by my Grandparents. We are all so proud of any of our Ringcraft ‘babies’ who do well at shows, or other disciplines and we know many other Ringcraft trainers who feel the same way.
Nothing in life comes for free
I saw this picture the other day and just had to share with you all. It is so true on two aspects and worth remembering at all times when training and handling your dog.
Firstly there’s the judge asking for a free stack (or stand as we would say in the UK!) This is becoming more common for judges to ask for a free stand, normally at the end of the movement. This gives the judge a chance to see the dog stand in its own way and doesn’t allow the good handler to hide any faults. Therefore it is important to teach all dogs to free stand and extra work put into those normally stacked.
Secondly there is the dogs thoughts. A dog will rarely do anything for free, they want payment. Remember to reward your dog when they do what you want correctly. This can be with food, toys, fuss or verbal praise. It’s important you let your do know when they do something correct, they will then repeat the behaviour to get the reward again.
What treats or toys do you use to reward your dog?